Port of Santos Opens Talks with Trieste to Expand Maritime Trade

The Port Authority of Santos (APS), in Brazil, began talks with the Port of Trieste, in Italy, with the aim of developing maritime trade agreements and increasing cargo flows between both markets. The initiative seeks to identify maritime trade opportunities and streamline cargo exchange in both directions.

APS legal superintendent Marcelo Zovico traveled to Trieste to take part in the Adria Shipping Summit, held on October 1 and 2 at the city's Stazione Marittima, where he held a series of meetings with representatives of the Italian port. The initiative follows the bilateral agreement signed in 2025 between Santos and the Port of Genoa, aimed at identifying trade development opportunities, which according to Zovico could serve as a reference for the rapprochement with Trieste.

According to Zovico, Trieste occupies a strategic location, with rail connections to the rest of Europe, meaning it could serve not only as a gateway to Italy but also as a platform for access to other European markets. The executive also noted that both ports share common challenges, linked to operational expansion and environmental issues, and stressed that no direct trade links yet exist between Santos and Trieste, although the visit seeks to pave the way for developing them.

Italian Democratic Party deputy Debora Serracchiani expressed hope that the initial contacts between Santos and Trieste would translate into an operational agreement strengthening the Italian port's international reach. Serracchiani said the Brazilian market, and Santos in particular, represents an opportunity for Trieste, especially within the framework of the new trade agreements between the European Union and South American countries, and underscored the need to streamline cargo flows in both directions.

The lawmaker also highlighted Trieste's rail infrastructure, which connects the port with major terminals in Central Europe, as well as the special customs regimes associated with the Free Port. According to Zovico, trade between Italy and Brazil grew significantly over the past year, partly due to the so-called "Trump effect," which has increased interest in Trieste as a connecting point with the European market.